Proposed development near Leesburg no good, AOPA saysProposed development near Leesburg no good, AOPA says

November 24, 2006

Proposed development near Leesburg no good, AOPA says

Build more than 1,500 homes directly under the traffic pattern of one of the Washington, D.C., area's busiest general aviation airports? That's just asking for noise complaints, future political conflicts, and airport suffocation. And that's exactly why AOPA is strongly opposing a plan before the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to amend zoning requests that would allow the Crosstrails development to be built adjacent to Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, Virginia. "Denying the zoning request will protect the continued viability of the airport and vital emergency services and mitigate, if not eliminate, future problems such as noise and safety issues from your constituents," wrote AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn in a letter to the board. Dunn also reminded the board that the airport has more than $30 million in federal Airport Improvement Program funds that require it to remain open-without any restrictions on aircraft operations or hours of operation-until at least 2025.